Contents

History

Built between 1904 and 1906 by the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway, the station replaced an antiquated station on Railroad Avenue, today's Alaskan Way. Designed by the firm of Reed and Stem of St. Paul, Minnesota, who acted as associate architects for the design of Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the station was part of a larger project that moved the mainline away from the waterfront and into a 5,245 foot (1,590 m) tunnel under downtown.[2][3] The depot's 242 foot tower was modeled after Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy,[4] making it the tallest building in Seattle at the time of its construction. This tower contained four huge mechanical clock faces offering the time to each of the four cardinal directions. Later, this tower also served as a microwave tower for the Burlington Northern Railroad, the successor of both the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads, which occupied the second and third floors of the station, now deserted.

Over the years, remodeling has concealed the station's original interior. The ornate ceiling of the main waiting room, and a balcony and second level arcade were hidden by a lower dropped ceiling. The waiting room was walled off and marble was removed from columns. A grand staircase linking South Jackson Street with the west entrance was reduced to half its original size, and an addition was constructed on the west elevation of the building that was not in keeping with the building's architecture.

From a practical standpoint, the station is close to downtown. However, unlike cities such as Boston, it is not near the intercity bus terminal, although the station is under a block from the International District/ Chinatown Station of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. What appears to be an upper entrance is not used. The main entrance on the first floor is at a dead-end road, rather than providing a loop.

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Restoration

Plans are underway to restore the entire building to its former prominence. Cosmetic renovations began in 2003. As part of these renovations the Compass Room and restrooms were refurbished, and the exterior awnings were replaced. New mahogany entry doors and wood framed windows were installed in the waiting room and Compass Room. New brass door hardware and reproduction period light fixtures and plaster decorative work were included to reproduce the former character of the station's interior.[5]

In November 2006, the office of Seattle mayor Greg Nickels announced a preliminary agreement between the City of Seattle and BNSF Railway to purchase the station for $1. The Seattle City Council formalized the agreement by passing legislation in December 2006.[6] The deal, revised to $10, was signed on March 5, 2008.[7] The purchase by the city freed up US$19 million of state and federal funds that can be used for further restoration of the station. The city has earmarked a further US$10 million for the restoration as part of a recently passed local transportation levy.[8]

In 2008, the clocks in the clock tower were repaired,[9] and the old microwave antennas were removed.[10] Repair work to the exterior continues as of May 2009. [11]

Architecture

Restored Compass Room

King Street Station is a red brick masonry building with terra cotta and cast stone ornamentation. The building is L-shaped with the clock tower marking the main entry on the west facade.[4] The clock tower and main entry terminate the axis of King Street in Pioneer Square.

Inside the main entry, at the base of the clock tower, is the entry hall, known as the Compass Room. The name references the navigational star compass rose design laid out in hand-cut marble tiles on the floor at its center.[5] The Compass Room has marble wainscotting, and is lighted by a multi-globe chandelier suspended above the compass rose from an elaborate plaster rosette. Triple globe wall sconces around the perimeter illuminate a band of inlaid green iridescent glass tile on the walls. Circular clerestory windows are trimmed in plaster relief decoration.